Over the course of nearly two decades and nine coaches since the Buffalo Bills were regular participants in the playoffs, some of the team’s former greats felt they were not always welcome to be a part of the Bills’ “family.” In an effort to improve the relationship between the Bills organization and former players, coach Sean McDermott decided to reach out to seven former players to begin that process.

Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reported that McDermott invited Bruce Smith, Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley, Steve Tasker and Cornelius Bennett to dinner on Tuesday evening. The invitation likely opened a dialogue between the former franchise greats and McDermott about how they could work together to improve their relationship with the team.

To illustrate the challenges some players endured, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News wrote a heart-wrenching article in Nov. 2014 outlining some of the severe challenges Darryl Talley and his family faced after his career in football ended. It was around this time Skurski alleges that some former players insinuated there was a disconnect between the organization and former players from the “glory days” in Buffalo.

McDermott’s wise approach contrasts somewhat with Rex Ryan’s attempt to mend fences with former players by having his picture taken with Jim Kelly eating wings and beer at the Big Tree Inn near New Era Field, or wearing a Thurman Thomas jersey from time to time at league meetings.